Monster Hunter Frontier Hits Japan This Summer

The Xbox 360 has been without a killer app in the Japanese market for some time now (Final Fantasy XIII is PS3-only there). But that's going to change in just a few months.

Capcom announced today final release and pricing information for Monster Hunter Frontier Online, the 360 version of a PC MMO that has 1.5 million users. The game was previously announced for a summer release. Today, Capcom finalized that to June 24.

This is an online exclusive title, but you'll have to buy a physical disc from a game shop in order to play. The disc will be priced at 6,090 yen, which is just a bit less than a typical high profile Xbox 360 title would cost.

Formal service for the game will not begin until July 7. From launch until that date, the game will be in an open beta test and will be free to play as Capcom irons out the bugs. After July 7, players will need to pay 1,400 yen per month to play.

There's somewhat of a catch to the monthly usage fees. Capcom originally announced that the 1,400 yen would include a month of Xbox Live Gold. Microsoft is apparently having trouble setting this up on its end, and so for the time being Gold will not be included. The game includes a voucher for one month free Gold usage. After that expires, Capcom is currently checking to see if Silver members will be able to play. If not, they'll be adjusting the pricing so that the combined monthly usage fee plus one month Gold will not go above the 1,400 yen price.

The June 24 package that hits retail is known as the "Monster Hunter Frontier Online Beginners Package." It includes the game, the month of Xbox Live Gold, one month of play time, and 13 in-game items to get you started on your hunting.

Capcom is also planning a closed beta for the game to be held some time in May. It did not share details on how interested parties would be able to take part in this.

Monster Hunter Frontier Online has not yet been formally announced for release outside of Japan. However, in past interviews, Capcom's Keiji Inafune hinted at an overseas release, saying "I feel Monster Hunter can definitely succeed overseas. There's a high possibility that MHF will kickstart that."